less than clean

USAGE SUMMARY

"less than clean" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is not completely clean or is somewhat dirty. Here are a few examples: 1. "I walked into the kitchen and noticed that the dishes in the sink were less than clean." 2. "The hotel room was nice, but the bathroom was less than clean." 3. "His appearance was less than clean, with dirt stains on his clothes and unkempt hair." 4. "Despite her efforts, the windows remained less than clean due to the heavy rain." 5. "The city's streets were less than clean, with litter scattered everywhere."

✓ Grammatically correct

Critical Care

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

And subsequently they didn't assist me with cleaning up properly, which left me in a less than clean or desirable position.

Critical Care

When Kastor runs in air that is less than clean, she said, she immediately feels it.

The New York Times - Sports

If Carlsen plays in a tournament in less than clean clothes, chances are that Henrik did not come with him.

The New Yorker

The room was as it had been before: only a bed with a bare mattress that was less than clean.

The New Yorker

During last year's Apec summit in Beijing, for example, the government swiftly shut down American embassy readings of PM2.5 (harmful microparticles in pollutants) levels that revealed less than clean air.

The Guardian - Opinion

The core of the story concerns Paul Axee" Axelrod (Damian Lewis, with a spot-on American accent, as always), a rags-to-riches hedge fund billionaire who has been less than clean in his ascent to the top.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

One of the misses came on a less-than-clean snap...

The New York Times - Sports

Last week, I stumbled upon some of the oldest evidence for slang's less-than-clean-cut past.

The New Yorker

He took a big step on the landing, but having a 7.0 start value cushioned some of the penalty from the less-than-clean landing.

The New York Times

It took more than half an hour to get through security, and once I got to the overcrowded gate — after a stop in a less-than-clean bathroom — the cacophony of competing announcements, a blaring television and a passenger's music player blasting without headphones was deafening, especially at 9 a.m.

The New York Times - Travel

"There is some truth in the government's effort to portray the taxpayers as having less-than-clean hands in this litigation," the three-judge panel wrote, but they declared that Congress simply had not authorized this IRS strategy.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less than clean" to politely describe something that isn't very clean, avoiding harsher words like "dirty" or "filthy".

Common error

While "less than clean" is acceptable in many situations, avoid it in highly formal writing, such as academic papers or business reports. Opt for more precise and professional language like "contaminated" or "unsanitary".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than clean" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase. It modifies a noun, describing its state as not being perfectly clean, suggesting a deficiency in cleanliness. Ludwig AI examples show it used to describe air, clothes, rooms, and even abstract concepts like records.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

12.5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6.25%

Encyclopedias

3.125%

Reference

3.125%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less than clean" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that is not perfectly clean. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's often used to politely convey a deficiency in cleanliness, avoiding harsher terms. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from news articles to everyday conversations. While acceptable in many situations, remember to opt for more precise language in formal settings. By understanding its nuances, you can effectively use "less than clean" to communicate your message with clarity and tact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat dirty

Replaces "less than clean" with a direct adjective, indicating a mild degree of dirtiness.

not entirely spotless

Uses "spotless" to emphasize the lack of perfect cleanliness.

a bit grimy

Introduces a more specific term ("grimy") to describe the type of uncleanliness.

slightly soiled

Employs "soiled" to suggest a light degree of contamination or dirt.

imperfectly purified

Focuses on the lack of complete purification.

not completely hygienic

Emphasizes the lack of complete sanitation.

suboptimally maintained

Highlights inadequate maintenance leading to uncleanliness.

relatively unkempt

Indicates a state of disorder and lack of tidiness, implying uncleanliness.

not particularly pristine

Uses "pristine" to convey that something is not in its original, perfect condition.

a shade impure

Suggests a slight degree of impurity or uncleanliness.

FAQs

How can I use "less than clean" in a sentence?

You can use "less than clean" to describe a state of moderate uncleanliness. For example, "The bathroom was "less than clean", so I decided to clean it myself."

What is a more formal alternative to "less than clean"?

In formal contexts, consider using terms like "unsanitary", "contaminated", or "soiled" instead of "less than clean".

Is "less than clean" a euphemism?

Yes, "less than clean" can be considered a euphemism. It's a mild way to describe something that isn't very clean, avoiding stronger negative terms.

What's the difference between "less than clean" and "dirty"?

"Dirty" is a more direct and stronger term. "Less than clean" is a more polite and indirect way to describe something that isn't perfectly clean. It suggests a mild state of uncleanliness.